Hjulet (1905)

The narrative centers on Knud Erik, a young man from a small Jutland village, whose fascination with a watermill symbolizes his yearning for a broader life. As he transitions from rural innocence to urban activism, he becomes a union organizer amid the labor movement, driven by a quest for social justice. His love for Marie intertwines with his ideals, yet upon returning home, he grapples with reconciling his ambitions with his community's traditions. The novel poignantly addresses themes of class struggle and the clash between tradition and progress, marking its significance in Danish and European literature.